Obasanjo hails Orji on security

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has hailed Abia State Governor Theodore Orji for ensuring peace and security in the state.

Obasanjo said a nation, state or community that has no security and peace is doomed because development would elude the people from such area.

The former President spoke at Amokwo Item during this year’s annual Item Day.

He noted that security is important to the development of any nation.

Obasanjo was given the highest award of Ogbuzuo of Item.

He said there was a time insecurity was the major challenge in the state.

The frontline farmer hailed Orji for tackling the problem successfully.

Obasanjo explained that his visit to Item afforded him the opportunity to learn more from the people.

He said the people have done well and urged them to do more.

According to him, no government at any level can provide all the people’s needs.

Obasanjo said: “No government at any level can provide all their people’s needs. Therefore, the age grade system has been used by the people of Item to achieve and complement the efforts of the state government.”

The former President noted that the community is the closest to the people and not the local or state government.

He added: “They (communities) have a better reach to both outside and those around to attract development.

“I am a rural man; in fact, a village man. But what I have seen here shows that there are people who are better than me in this aspect.”

The President-General of Item Development Association (IDA), Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, thanked Obasanjo for his love for Item people and urged him to come back again.